d.light

Company information

Ray of light

Thanks to the solar products it designs, manufactures and distributes, d.light has lit up the lives of millions of people around the world who do not have access to a reliable electricity supply. The company’s lights and mobile phone chargers are designed to be accessible and affordable for households at every rung of the income ladder, with prices starting at just over £4 and pay-as-you-go financing available.

“Our product line ranges from single-function lanterns for reading and ambient light, to multi-function products and solar home systems that offer a grid-like experience,” explains Ned Tozun, Co-founder of d.light. “Our solutions help households and small businesses to leapfrog the need for a centralised grid.”

“Our solutions help households and small businesses to leapfrog the need for a centralised grid”Ned Tozun, Co-founder, d.light

d.light’s ability to provide solar products has been helped by recent advances in technology that have not only made batteries and solar panels cheaper, but also improved their performance and made them more energy-efficient. At the same time, developments in mobile payment services have allowed the company to reach more customers.“We have been able to make better products without any additional cost to our customers,” says Ned. “In addition, the widespread use of mobile money in emerging markets has provided an excellent platform through which to finance products. Even families in the most remote villages are able to make payments through their mobile phones, increasing their ability to access high-powered, life-changing technology.”

The potential for further growth is huge. Some 65 million people currently use d.light’s products, but there are an estimated 2.3 billion people around the world who lack a reliable electricity supply.

“Our aim is to become the leading provider of other solar solutions for off-grid families,” says Ned. “We expect to achieve our goal of 100 million customers by 2020.”